Apparatus for and method of treating the brims of hats



p 1941- J. E. KANE ET AL 2,255,547

APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF TESTING THE BRIMS OF HATS Filed Feb. 24,1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V a il l .nlll

Sept. 9, 1941. J; E. KANE ET AL APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF TESTING THEBRIMS OF HATS Filed Feb. 24, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 awe/Mus PatentedSept. 9, 1941 APPARATUS FOR AND NIETHOD OF TREAT- ING THE BRIMS OF HATSJohn E. Kane and Fred R. Olsen, Danbury, Conn,

assignors to The Frank H. Lee Company, Danbury, Conn, a corporation ofConnecticut Application February 24, 1940, Serial No. 320,624

19 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for and a method of treating thebrims of hats, and in regard to its more specific aspects, to apparatusfor and method of mellowing or rendering pliable the brims of hatsfollowing completion of the finishing operations practiced thereon.

In the manufacture of hats, and particularly fur felt hats commonlyreferred to as soft hats, it is customary in a preliminary operation totreat the hat with a stiffening solution throughout an area whichsubsequently forms the hat brim. Such a solution generally incorporatesshellac or like resinous material which is taken up by the hat body.Following drying, the shellac hardens and imparts a degree of stiffnessto the treated brim portions. In subsequent operations, the hat isheated and thereupon cooled, as for example, when the brim is flanged ina final finishing operation. The heating of the hat brim during fiangingcauses the previously hardened shellac or like stiffening agent tobecome softened, with subsequent cooling acting to reharden the shellacwhich thereupon assists in setting of the brim to the shape imparted toit in the flanging operation.

Due to rehardening of the shellac under conditions different than thoseencountered in the first drying, or due possibly to the fact that thehat body originally took up an excess amount of the stiffening solution,the hat. brim, following flanging, is in many cases unduly stiff andnonpliable, and in the case of turned up, as distinguished fromsnap-brim hats, this undue stiffness of the brim may result in brimdistortion in wear or may even cause discomfort to the wearer. It istherefore desirable that the hat brim be treated in such manner as toremove excess and/or undesirable stiffness, such treatment being knownin the trade as mellowing.

The present invention contemplates and has for one of its objects theprovision of improved and simplified apparatus for working the brims ofhats following the finishing thereof in such manner as to render themmellow and pliable; the provision of a hat brim mellowing apparatus asaforesaid by which the working of the brim can be adjusted as desired tohandle brims of different widths and thicknesses; the provision of a hatbrim mellowing apparatus requiring no particular skill in its operationand by which the desired mellowing threatment can be effected in .one ormore passes of the brim therethrough; the provision of hat brimmellowing apparatus which is certain in its operation, which ischaracterized by rugged and durable construction and which isconstituted by a minimum of working parts requiring little or noattention of repair;

and the provision of an improved method of is illustrated an embodimentof the invention in detail.

In the drawings- Fig. lis a vertical section along the longitudinalcenter line of apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken along lines 2-2 of Fig.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional details illustrating the undulatory brimpass provided by apparatus as in the foregoing;

Fig. 6 is a separated view of the upper and under brim working elements.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters indicatelike parts throughout the several views, reference character It indicates a horizontally disposed hat supporting surface in the nature of atable, being supported by a suitable framework which may be comprised bythe several vertical legs I2, l3 and I4 and cross beams 15, theframework also supporting a motor shelf [6 disposed below the table. Thetable If) is provided with a through opening 20 which may be of arcuatecontour, as indicated in Fig. 3, and provides a mounting for spaced,vertical posts 2|, 22 each secured in fixed relation to the table Ill asby spaced securing nuts 23, 24. Preferably, the posts are each threadedto receive a locating nut 25 which serves to locate at an appropriatelevel above the table a cross bar 26 which extends between the posts andis held in position on the locating nuts by the handled or winged nuts28.

Secured to the cross bar as by lag screws 30 and depending therefrom isan upper brim treating element 32 in the nature of a block to be morespecifically described, said block terminating generally in the plane ofthe working surface of table 10 and being disposed over the tableopening 20 Disposed in cooperating relation with the upper brim treatingelement 32 is an under brim which the crown of a hat may be disposed,said face thus serving to properly locate a hat on the table l so thatits brim may extend between blocks 32, 34.

The relatively rear face of the block 32 is provided with a plurality ofvertical flutes or teeth 49, four such flutes being shOWIl for purposesof illustration as in Fig. 6. By reference to Fig. 1, the flutes 49 whenviewed in vertical section curve under the block and extend relativelyforwardly along a curvature which corresponds generally to the flange orcurl of a hat brim. Also, by reference to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seenthat the depth of the flutes 48 decreases as they progress under theblock; or, conversely, the depth of the flutes increases with brimwidth.

The under block 34, which is roughly L-shaped in vertical section andwhich in plan extends along an arc corresponding generally to the ovalof a hat, has formed on its relatively front concave face a plurality ofvertically extending flutes or teeth 42, as more clearly indicated inFig. 6. The flutes 62, shown as three in number, are arranged tocomplement and/or mesh with the flutes 40 of the upper block 32, theflutes 42 preferably having appreciable depth throughout their lengthand bending forwardly beneath block 32 along a curvature correspondinggenerally to the flange or curl of a hat brim.

As will be apparent from Fig. 1, flutes 42 at their upper end extendinto the space between the flutes 43 of the upper block 32 to the depthof about V2 inch, this depth of extension decreasing as the flutesprogress downwardly due to the decreasing depth of the flutes 40 as theycurve under block 32. Adjacent their lower ends the depth of the flutes42 is also progressively decreased somewhat with the result that thereis provided between the forward portions of the blocks a space of theorder of inch when the :under block 34 is in its low position and, witha inch throw of the under block, a space of the order of inch when theunder block is in its up position. This spacing between the blocks andthe flutes thereof progressively decreases as the flutes extendrearwardly and. upwardly of the blocks until the flutes mesh with eachother, thus to provide a brim pass which is definitely undulatory incontour along the zone of the edge of the brim of a hat inserted intothe space between said blocks.

The arrangement and spacing between the blocks and the flutes thereof isdiagrammatically illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, wherein Fig. 4 is atransverse section through the blocks with the under block in its lowposition. It will be appreciated that the space between blocks providesa brim pass into which the brim B of a hat can readily be inserted. InFig. the under block is shown in its up position, in which the spacebetween blocks and flutes thereof is decreased and in which theintermeshing relation of the flutes causes the brim to be undulated.

According to the present invention, the under block 34 is jigged orgiven limited and high speed reciprocatory movement through itsconnection with a driving motor 45 operating at about 1800 R. P. M. andbeing fixedly secured to the motor shelf l5. Shaft 43 of the motor hassecured thereto a fly-wheel or equivalent inertia mass 41 from whichextends an eccentrically disposed crank 48 operating in a bearing cup orhead 50, into which is threaded the lower end of the connecting rodpreviously referred to. The connecting rod extends through a cylindricalslide bearing 5| trunnioned in a bearing supporting ring or collar 52held to the table or framework therefor by arms 53.

By the above described arrangements highspeed operation of the motorresults in limited reciprocatory or jigging movement of the under block34 as carried by the connecting rod 35, and the under block 34 isactuated at relatively high speed toward and away from the relativelyfixed upper block 32.

The position of the upper block 32 may be varied to accommodate brims ofvarying weights and/or thicknesses by unthreading the hand nuts 28 andproperly adjusting the level of the locating nuts 25 on the barsupporting posts 2|, 22, thereby to raise or lower the relatively fixedupper block 32.

In operation, a hat whose brim is to be mellowed is positioned on thetable [0 and its brim moved relatively rearwardly into the brim passbetween upper and under blocks 32, 34, respectively, to the depthdetermined by engagement of the hat crown against the vertical frontface 38 of the upper block 32, such serving to locate properly the hatfor brim treatment.

The hat brim B as partially indicated in Fig. 3 is, in the apparatusillustrated, manually fed through the brim pass whereby successiveportions of the brim are worked by the fluted blocks. Such feed movementrequires that the hat be turned gradually on substantially the verticalaxis of its crown, this requirement being practically satisfied by theprovision of the vertical face 38 on block 32, against which theoperator may push the crown of the hat whose brim is being worked, as hegrasps the hat brim on both sides of the block assembly and feeds thehat therethrough.

With the hat brim extending into the brim pass and feeding therebetween,the flutes of the blocks exert a kneading action on the brim and causesuccessive portions of the brim to be alternately undulated, the depthor amplitude of the undulations varying from substantially zero (seeFig. 4) to a predetermined maximum (see Fig. 5) and back to zero again,as represented by the up and return travel of the under block for eachcycle of its movement. This kneading or undulating of the brim acts tobreak down and/or rearrange the hardened shellac or equivalentstiffening material of the brim, and the brim is accordingly mellowedand rendered pliable.

In the case of an unduly stiff brim, or where an extra-pliable brim isrequired, the feed of the brim through the treating blocks may be sloweddown as determined by the experience of the operator, or the brim may begiven more than one pass through the apparatus.

By reason of the fact that the flutes 40 of the upper block increase indepth as they progress outwardly or radially of the brim being treated,the brim is undulated to a greater extent in the region of its edge orperiphery than in its region adjacent the crown. This is desirable forobupper and under elements adapted to engage revious reasons, amongwhich may be noted the requirement for more pliability adjacent the edgeof a hat brim rather than adjacent .the crown where head size andcontour is to be preserved.

' As the under block 34, by reason of its mounting directly on theconnecting rod, moves in a vertically elongated elliptical path, ratherthan a truly straight-line path, it has a slight lateral component ofmovement which of course accentuates the brim kneading action over thatobtainable with straight-line movement. Accordingly the mounting ofblock 34 directly on the connecting rod is of advantage in this respectin addition to the simplification in construction and elimination inparts otherwise necessary.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructionswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

We claim:

l. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising brim engaging elements havingopposed surfaces providing an undulatory brim pass therebetween, saidsurfaces being each arranged on a curvature corresponding both to theoval of a hat and the flange of the brim thereof, and means forimparting jigging movement to one of said elements.

2. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising brim engaging elements havingopposed surfaces providing an undulatory brim pass therebetween, saidsurfaces being each arranged on a curvature corresponding both to theoval of a hat and the flange of the brim thereof, means stationarilymounting one of said elements, and means for imparting jigging movementto the other of said elements.

3. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising brim engaging elements havingopposed surfaces providing an undulatory brim pass therebetween, saidsurfaces being each arranged on a curvature corresponding both to theoval of a hat and the flange of the brim thereof, one of said elementshaving means for locating a hat so that its brim may extend anappropriate distance into the brim pass, and means for imparting jiggingmovement to the other of said elements.

4. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising brim engaging elements havingopposed surfaces providing an undulatory brim pass therebetween, saidsurfaces being each arranged on a curvature corresponding both to theoval of a hat and the flange of the brim thereof, one of said elementshaving a surface engageable by the crown of a hat whose brim extendsinto the brim pass, thereby to limit the extent of insertion of the briminto the brim pass, and means for imparting jigging movement to theother of said elements.

5. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising brim engaging-elements havingopposed surfaces providing an undulatory brim pass therebetween, thebrim engaging surfaces of said elements being arranged on a curvaturecorresponding both to the oval of the hat and the flange of the brimthereof, means for adjusting the position of one of said elements withreference to that of its complemental element whereby to accommodate hatbrims of varying weights and/or thicknesses, and means for impartingjigging movement to the other of said elements.

6. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising spectively the upper andunder faces of a hat brim, the adjacent surfaces of said elements beingcomplementally fluted to provide an undulatory brim pass, the flutesbeing arranged on a curvature corresponding both to the oval of a hatand the flange of the brim thereof, and means for imparting limitedreciprocatory movement to one of said elements.

7. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising upper and under elementsadapted to engage respectively the upper and under faces of a hat brim,the adjacent surfaces of said elements being complementally fluted toprovide an undulatory brim pass, the flutes being arranged on acurvature corresponding both to the oval of a hat and the flange of thebrim thereof, means providing a fixed mounting for the upper element,and means for imparting limited reciprocatory movement to the underelement.

8. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising upper and under elementsadapted to engage respectively the upper and under faces of a hat brim,the adjacent surfaces of said elements being complementally fluted toprovide an undulatory brim pass, the flutes being arranged on acurvature corresponding both to the oval of a hat and the flange of thebrim thereof, means adjustably mounting said upper element in fixedposition, and means for imparting limited reciprocatory movement to theunder element.

9. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising upper and under elementsadapted to engage respectively the upper and under faces of a hat brim,the adjacent surfaces of said elements being complementally fluted toprovide an undulatory brim pass, the flutes being arranged on acurvature corresponding both to the oval of a hat and the flange of thebrim thereof, the upper element having a surface engageable by the crownof a hat Whose brim extends into the brim pass, means providing a fixedmounting for the upper element, and means for imparting limitedreciprocatory movement to the under element.

10. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising upper and under flutedblocks disposed to engage respectively the upper and under face of a hatbrim, the flutes of one block being disposed intermediate the flutes ofthe other block, whereby said blocks provide an undulatory brim pass,the flutes of said blocks extending along a curvature corresponding bothto the oval of a hat and the flange of the brim thereof, means providinga fixed mounting for one of said blocks, and means for imparting limitedreciprocatory movement to the other block.

11. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising upper and under flutedblocks disposed to engage respectively the upper and under faces of ahat brim, the flutes of one block being disposed intermediate the flutesof the other block, whereby said blocks provide an undulatory brim pass,the flutes of said blocks extending along a curvature corresponding bothto the oval of a hat and the flange of the brim thereof, means providinga fixed mounting for the upper block, and means for imparting limitedreciprocatory movement to the under block.

12. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising upper and under flutedblocks disposed to engage respectively the upper and under faces of ahat brim, the flutes of one block being disposed intermediate the flutesof the other block, whereby said blocks provide an undulatory brim pass,the flutes of said blocks extending along a curvature corresponding bothto the oval of a hat and the flange of the brim thereof, meansadjustably mounting the upper block in relatively fixed position, andmeans for imparting limited reciprocatory movement to the under block.

13. A hat brim mellowing machine comprising upper and under flutedblocks disposed to engage respectively the upper and under faces of ahat brim, the flutes of one block being disposed intermediate the flutesof the other block, whereby said blocks provide an undulatory brim pass,the flutes of said blocks extending along a curvature corresponding bothto the oval of a hat and the flange of the brim thereof, the upper blockhaving a surface engageable by the crown of a hat whose brim extendsinto the brim pass, means providing a fixed mounting for said upperblock, and means for imparting limited reciprocatory movement to theunder block.

14. A hat mellowing machine comprising a table providing a hatsupporting surface, and having an opening therein, an upper block, meansmounting said block from the table, an under block operative through thetable opening, the adjacent surfaces of said blocks being complementallyfluted, the flutes of one block being disposed intermediate the flutesof the other block, thereby to provide an undulatory brim pass for thebrim of a hat supported on said table, the flutes of said blocks beingarranged on a curvature corresponding both to the oval of a hat and tothe flange of the brim, and means for. imparting limited reciprocatorymovement to the lower block.

15. A hat mellowing machine comprising a table providing a hatsupporting surface, and having an opening therein, an upper block, meansmounting said block from the table, an under block operative through thetable opening, the adjacent surfaces of said blocks being complementallyfluted, the flutes of one block being disposed intermediate the flutesof the other blocks, thereby to provide an undulatory brim pass for thebrim of a hat supported on said table, the flutes of said blocks beingarranged on a curvature corresponding both to the oval of a hat and tothe flange of the brim, a connecting rod carrying at its upper end theunder block, rotary driving means, and a drive connection between thedriving means and the lower end of the connecting rod operative toimpart limited reciprocatory movement to the connecting rod and hence tothe under block.

16. The method of mellowing the brim of a hat which consists insubjecting successive portions of the brim to the action of opposedsurfaces providing an undulatory brim pass thereby to subject the brimto undulations, and simultaneously therewith vibrating or jigging one ofsaid surfaces thereby alternately increasing and decreasing the depth ofthe undulations.

17. The method of mellowing the brim of a hat which consists insubjecting successive portions of the brim to the action of elementsrelatively movable toward and away from each other and provided withcomplemental surfaces forming an undulatory brim pass thereby to subjectthe brim to undulations, and simultaneously therewith imparting relativemovement to said elements thereby to alternately increase and de creasethe depth of the undulations.

18. The method of mellowing the brim of a hat which consists indisposing the brim between complementally fluted surfaces which are ar-'ranged on a curvature corresponding both to the oval of the hat and tothe flange of the brim thereof and which provide an undulatory brimpass, and simultaneously jigging one of said surfaces and feeding thebrim through the brim pass.

19. The method of mellowing the brim of a hat which consists indisposing the brim between complementally fluted surfaces which arearranged on a curvature corresponding both to the oval of the hat and tothe flange of the brim and which are so spaced as to provide anundulatory brim pass whose undulations increase in depth with the widthof the brim, jigging one of said surfaces, and feeding successiveportions of the brim through the brim pass thereby to subject the brimto the action of said surfaces.

JOHN E. KANE. FRED R. OLSEN.

